AMHERST, N.Y. – A Daemen College education has been ranked among the top 200 of private colleges in the country for best return on investment (ROI), according to PayScale’s 2015 ROI Report. The college is listed at No. 186 in the category for private colleges.

Daemen has also been recognized as one of Upstate New York’s most sound financial investments, ranking 18th on ROI. Daemen is ranked in the top 20 of 37 Upstate New York colleges, joining other prestigious private institutions in the state such as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (No. 1), Colgate University (No. 7), and Skidmore College (No. 16).

The report examines the earning potential of graduates from public and private colleges and universities across the United States.

“These national and regional rankings underscore the exceptional value of Daemen’s programs and the breadth of experience and skills our students gain to prepare them for their professional endeavors,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson. “We remain committed to ensuring that the excellent education that Daemen offers is accessible and affordable to students.”

PayScale, which collects compensation data, ranks colleges based on financial gain a graduate can expect to realize from an investment in a bachelor’s degree at that college. The firm found the 20-year ROI for a Daemen graduate to be nearly $240,000. The 20-year net ROI for alumni with financial aid was even higher at $290,500.

ROI is based on the net income a graduate will earn 20 years after graduation, minus what they would have earned as a high-school graduate and the total cost of college.